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I, for one, am sick of going with the norm. As a young person in America, I feel the need to fight the establishment and express myself. What could I do? I could listen to Gothic music and read Anne Rice novels, or I could hang chains all over my body and pierce my face.
“How about a pleasant form of self-expression for once?” Michael Hartwell asked himself before coming up with Formal Friday.
Disgusted with the sloppy appearance of Americans on Fridays, Hartwell established Formal Friday – a day where students can look their sharpest and not be viewed as “Animal House” like slobs.
When asked about his institution, Hartwell said, “As dumb males, we are stereotyped as not caring about our appearances.” Hartwell’s history of formal wear begins in his late high school days.
“I’ve always been a firm believer that a man doesn’t need an excuse to look his finest. But I was sick of being asked: ‘Why are you all dressed up today?’ With Formal Friday, I have an excuse.”
The benefits of Formal Friday go further than just letting you look good. It sets an example to those around you.
“I don’t want to listen to a professor who is wearing a T-shirt, pajama bottoms and friggin’ moccasins,” Hartwell said.
Formal Friday shows that these standards will not be accepted and at the same time prepares students for the future.
“Once in a while, we as students need to show some professionalism,” Hartwell said.
By Formal Friday standards, to dress up all you need is a button down shirt, a tie and nice slacks. Many participants have included these elements in their Friday garb, but some go the extra mile and sport a full suit. While the standards may portray it as sexist, Formal Friday is a unisex tradition.
When asked how she felt about Formal Friday, first-year student Meghan Chute said, “Fine.”
Chute, in the past, has participated in Formal Friday by wearing a skirt, and a “nice blouse.”
Chute also said, “Leave me alone and quit pretending to be a journalist, Travis. I am really trying to study. For real. I’m speaking in reality-land.” Respect for the press will be the subject of my next editorial.
Formal Friday has spread all over campus and on any given Friday, between five and 20 students can be seen wearing their finest. A few small bands of these students have gotten together to form clubs based around Formal Friday – “The Friday Five” being one example. Being the self-proclaimed leaders of Formal Friday, this motley group joined together to spread the message of Formal Friday. Based in York Hall, “The Friday Five” encourages participation of Formal-based activities through influence and, if needed, extreme harassment.
The group’s motto is: “If you don’t dress up on Friday, Lord knows we are going to give you hell for it.”
Now, the call to action. I challenge you to, instead of rolling out of bed at the last minute on Friday, get up a few minutes early and dig out your formal wear. For gentlemen, get out your tie and shineable shoes. For the ladies, a nice skirt, dress or even a pants suit will do. The point isn’t to have the nicest, most expensive clothing. In fact, most of my Formal Friday clothing is borrowed or purchased from Goodwill, but instead, the point is to look your best and show that you are making an effort.
Travis Bourassa is a freshman journalism major.
